Closure-sealing system for rotational opening

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a closure system for a container comprising a closure and container opening portion. The closure releasably seals the container opening and has a cylindrical collar comprising a plurality of elastically designed tabs. The free ends of the tabs deflect radially and comprise latching elements on at least one part At least one radially extending holding element is molded on the enveloping surface of the container and forms a snap-in connection with the latching elements. A plurality of guidance elements interact with the tabs and latching elements such that upon rotation of the closure in an opening direction, a spreading of the tabs radially releases the snap-in connection.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT Application Serial No. PCT/EP2010/053610, filed on Mar. 19, 2010, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to 10 2009 002 074.8 (DE), filed on Apr. 1, 2009. The disclosures PCT/EP2010/053610 and DE 10 2009 002 074.8 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a closure system for containers, comprising a closure that snaps on to close off the container opening and rotates off for removal from the container opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the sector of pourable or flowable washing and/or cleaning agents in particular, screw closures have become established. These offer sufficient leak-tightness when sufficient torque is ensured upon closure of the corresponding container opening. In addition, container openings can be opened and re-closed as often as desired using such screw closures.

Screw closures of the kind discussed above are disadvantageous in that upon initial closure of a container, for example in an automatic filling operation, they must be tightened with a comparatively high torque in order to ensure leak-tightness of the closure during storage and transport. With regard to the end user, however, the result can be that the closure can be released from the container opening only with difficulty, and sometimes not at all. This is generally undesirable.

The handling technology for screwing on a closure of this kind, for example in the automatic filling facilities mentioned above, is therefore comparatively complex, since, for example, a system for torque monitoring must be provided. In addition, screwing on the closure requires comparatively long time periods, thus reducing throughput in automatic filling lines.

Furthermore, the manufacture of closures having screw threads is comparatively laborious, since the thread must be separately unscrewed from the tool. In addition, the thread can correspondingly be implemented, on a bottle that is formed e.g. by blow-molding a preform, only by using a “jaw tool.”

Also, known for some time from the existing art are so-called “snap-on” closures. These have the advantage of ensuring good leak-tightness of the closure; upon initial filling of the container, closure is affected by simply snapping the closure onto the container opening. Such snap-on closures usually cannot be released from the container opening by the consumer after initial filling, but instead comprise further closure elements such as closure flaps, spouts, etc.

A conventional snap-on closure having a continuous snap-on bead can furthermore usually be snapped only onto comparatively stable containers having sufficient upset pressure resistance.

An object of the invention is therefore to make available a closure that combines the advantages of a rotary closure with those of a snap-on closure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved by a closure system having the features of Claim 1, by a container having the features of Claim 12 for use in a closure system, by a closure having the features of Claim 14 for use in a closure system, and by a method according to Claim 15 for opening and closing the closure system.

The closure system according to the present invention for closing off the container opening of a container encompasses: a closure having spring-like tabs at whose ends are arranged latching elements; at least one container-side holding element; and container-side guide elements. The elements of the closure system, and their function and mutual interaction, will be individually explained below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a closure system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 a illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 b illustrates a cross-sectional perspective view of an embodiment of a closure in accordance with the present invention

FIG. 3 depicts a side view and a top view of an embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a closure system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic sequence diagram showing the opening and closing of an embodiment of the closure system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The closure system according to the present invention is suitable in particular for filling, closing, storing, transporting, and delivering flowable or pourable products, in particular for contents from the group of the textile washing, cleaning, and care-providing agents, dishwashing agents, personal hygiene agents, pharmaceuticals, agricultural adjuvants, construction materials, dyes, adhesives, or foods.

The Container

The invention is particularly suitable for substantially dimensionally stable containers, made in particular of plastic, such as e.g. tubs, tins, buckets, barrels, bottles, canisters, jugs, drums, or tubes. They can in principle also be used, however, for flexible receptacles such as, for example, pouches or bags.

The container can assume any desired shape. Round or rounded cross-sectional shapes are advantageous.

In an embodiment of the invention, the container can be embodied as a tub, tin, or barrel. A “tub” for purposes of this Application is a substantially dimensionally stable receptacle for receiving a flowable or pourable product, which has an internal volume formed by a bottom and an enveloping surface, the cross section of the bottom corresponding substantially to the cross section of the tub opening.

“Tins” can be, in particular, an “ironed” tin, tear-open tin, press-in lid tin, tapered tin, folding-lid tin, folding-lid filler-hole tin, folded tin, drawn tin, piston tin, coiled tin, tear-off strip tin, bead-surround tin, top-lid tin, or stepped-edge tin.

Barrels can be selected from the group of the convex barrels, stave barrels, sealed barrels, garage barrels, semi-sealed barrels, packing barrels, rolling-hoop barrels, heavy barrels, bead-surround barrels, or rolled-bead barrels.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the container is configured as a bottle. A “bottle” for purposes of this Application is a closable, substantially dimensionally stable receptacle for receiving a flowable or pourable product that encompasses an internal volume shaped by a bottom and an enveloping surface, the internal volume being fillable and/or emptyable through an opening shaped in the enveloping surface in the form of a bottleneck tapering toward the opening, the cross section of the bottom being greater than the cross section of the opening.

A bottle can be embodied, for example, as an aerosol bottle, transparent bottle, beverage bottle, in particular beer bottle, “Bocksbeutel,” enlarged-neck bottle, hock bottle, stone bottle, stubby bottle, Vichy bottle, wide-mouth bottle, and also Megplat bottle, squeeze bottle, dropper bottle, packaging bottle (for example, a flacon).

The wall thickness of the bottle is selected so that the bottle is substantially dimensionally stable. In an embodiment of the bottle, the walls and/or the enveloping surface can be elastically deformable, in order to exert a pressure on the products present in the bottle and thereby to assist delivery of the product out of the receptacle.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the bottle can also be embodied as a two- or multi-chamber receptacle. The chambers then advantageously each contain products differing from one another. It is thus possible, for example, to stock a liquid product in one chamber and a granular product in a further chamber.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the closure of the container is covered at least partly or locally by an accessorizing and identifying means, in particular a heat-shrink sleeve. An authenticity seal and/or tamper-evident closure can thereby, for example, be implemented in simple fashion.

A “flexible container” for purposes of this Application is a packing means that substantially changes its shape under even a slight load during use as intended. The flexible container is embodied in particular as a pouch or bag.

The pouch can be selected from the group of the bottom pouches, block pouches, stock pouches, block bottom pouches, stock bottom pouches, stand-up bottom pouches, bottom-fold pouches, cross-bottom pouches, round-bottom pouches, stand-up pouches, double pouches, window pouches, flat pouches, flap pouches, flap-pocket pouches, conical pouches, tubular pouches, side-fold pouches, folding pouches, edge-sealed pouches, three-edge sealed pouches, two-seam pouches, fold-over flap pouches, carrier pouches, and/or valve pouches.

The bag can be selected from the group of the insertion bags, slide-in bags, folding bags, flat bags, cross-bottom bags, multiple-ply bags, round-bottom bags, and/or valve bags.

In a particularly preferable embodiment of the invention, the container for use in the closure system according to the present invention is a preform. Very particularly preferably, the container is a bottle blow-molded from a preform.

At least one holding element extending radially from the enveloping surface is shaped onto the outer enveloping surface of the container.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holding element extends radially from the outer enveloping surface into the surroundings of the container. In an alternative embodiment, the holding element can also extend radially from the inner enveloping surface into the interior of the container.

The at least one container-side holding element and the closure-side tabs interact in such a way that the latching elements of the tabs constitute, with the at least one holding element, a snap-in connection by which the closure is releasably secured on the container opening.

In a particularly preferred refinement of the invention, the holding element is embodied as a circumferential ring. In order to save weight and material, in a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the holding element can also be interrupted by interstices.

It is preferred that the holding element and the container-side guidance elements be embodied in one piece with the container.

Container Opening

The container comprises a substantially cylindrical container opening.

Closure

The closure and the container opening are embodied in such a way that in the closed position, the closure closes off the container opening releasably, in particular in liquid-tight fashion, so that, for example, even with the container in an upside-down position, inadvertent release of product from the container is prevented.

The closure and the container opening can furthermore be configured such that in the closed position, the closure closes off the container opening releasably, in particular in gas-tight fashion. The shelf stability of, for example, oxygen-sensitive products can thereby be enhanced.

The closure comprises a substantially cylindrical cup-shaped body and cylindrical collar having a plurality of elastically embodied tabs, the free end of the tabs being deflectable in spring fashion in a radial direction. The spring force of the tabs can be adjusted by way of the length of the tabs, their width and thickness, and the material selection. The spring force is preferably selected so that liquid-tight closure of the container opening is brought about.

The closure furthermore comprises, for a plurality of the tabs, a latching element at their free end. This latching element forms, with the container-side holding element, a snap-in connection.

In a preferable embodiment of the invention, the closure-side tabs, the latching element arranged on the tabs, and the container-side holding element are configured in such a way that upon latching of the tabs with the holding element, an audible acoustic signal is produced. This can indicate to the consumer that, upon re-closure of the container, the latter has been correctly closed off by the closure. The acoustic signal generated in this fashion can furthermore be used in a filling facility for automatic detection, by way of an analysis of the latching sound, of correct closure of the container.

The closure-side tabs, the latching element arranged on the tabs, and the container-side holding element are embodied in such a way that the closure is not releasable from the container opening by an axial tensile force of, for example, 10 N. It is thereby possible, inter alia, to implement a child-proof feature for the closure system.

The tabs and the holding element that respectively form a snap-in connection with one another can preferably also be embodied so that in the closed position, spreading of each tab that constitutes a snap-in connection with the holding element is produced. This, and in particular the periodic sequence of spread and un-spread tabs, make possible simple visual monitoring as to whether the closure has been correctly snapped on.

According to a further, preferred embodiment of the invention, closure-side guidance elements are arranged on a plurality of the tabs equipped with a latching element.

In a side view of the closure, the closure-side guidance elements preferably comprise a first flank opposite to the rotation direction of the closure, the flank having a slope in an axial direction.

The axial slope angle γ of the flank of the closure-side guidance elements is preferably equal to between 2° and 85°, preferably between 4° and 70°, particularly preferably between 5° and 60°.

In an advantageous refinement of the invention, the axial slope angle γ of the flank of the closure-side guidance elements is equal to the axial slope angle β of the flank of the container-side guidance element.

It is preferred that the tabs, the latching elements, and the closure-side guidance elements be shaped in one piece with the closure.

According to a further, advantageous embodiment of the invention, an internally located cylinder is arranged in the closure so that the closure can be used as a dispensing cap. The cylinder defines the maximum dispensed volume, and preferably projects out of the plane that is spanned by the free ends of the tabs. The projecting cylinder makes it possible to implement guidance upon placement of the closure onto the container opening, the cylinder being guided into the container opening. It is particularly advantageous in this context if the diameter of the container opening is approximately 2 to 5% larger than the diameter of the cylinder.

Latching Elements

With the closure in the closed position on the container, the closure-side latching elements bring about a releasable latched engagement with the container-side holding element.

The latched engagement is preferably embodied in such a way as to prevent the closure from being pulled, by a user, in an axial direction out of the closed position.

Guidance Elements

A plurality of guidance elements are arranged circumferentially around an enveloping segment of the container extending between the edge of the container opening and the holding element.

The guidance elements interact with those tabs that comprise a latching element in such a way that upon rotation of the closure out of its closed position, a spreading of the tabs in a radial direction is produced, so that the snap-in connection between the at least one holding element and the latching elements of the tabs is released.

In a plan view of the container opening, the guidance elements preferably comprise a first flank in the rotation direction of the closure, the flank having a slope in a radial direction.

In a further, preferred embodiment of the invention, the radial slope angle α of the flank is equal to between 2° and 85°, preferably between 4° and 70°, particularly preferably between 5° and 60°.

According to a refinement of the invention, there is advantageously arranged, on the tabs that comprise a latching element, a closure-side guidance element that interacts with a container-side guidance element in such a way that when the closure is snapped on the container opening, the tabs that comprise a latching element are guided between two adjacent container-side guidance elements.

In a side view of the container opening, the guidance elements preferably comprise a first flank in the rotation direction of the closure, the flank having a slope in an axial direction.

The axial slope angle β of the flank is preferably equal to between 2° and 85°, preferably between 4° and 70°, particularly preferably between 5° and 60°.

The holding force of the closure on the container in an axial direction is preferably selected so that it at least conforms to the equation (product density)/(container volume)*(container opening area) (height of product column above container opening). The holding force of the closure on the container opening can be configured in particular by corresponding embodiment of the snap-in connection between the container and closure.

It is further preferred to embody the snap-in connection between the container and closure in such a way that the holding force of the closure on the container opening in an axial direction is greater than the screwing force necessary to release the closure.

It is very particularly advantageous to configure the snap-in connection between the container and closure in such a way that the force necessary to snap the closure onto the container opening in an axial direction is less than the holding force of the closure on the container opening in an axial direction.

It is preferable in particular for the snap-in connection between the container and closure to be embodied in such a way that the snap-on force of the closure onto the container opening in an axial direction is less than the screwing force necessary for release.

Contents

Flowable and pourable package contents are particularly preferred in the context of use of the closure system according to the present invention.

The pourable contents can be, in particular, a washing-agent powder, washing-agent granules, cleaning-agent powder, cleaning-agent granules, salt, or the like.

The pourable product preferably involves liquid or gelled washing- and/or cleaning agents, personal hygiene products, adhesives, construction materials, or the like.

The invention will be further explained below with reference to drawings that merely illustrate exemplifying embodiments. Particularly preferred configurations and particularly preferred combinations of features are also further described in detail in this context.

In the drawings, the element numbers are assigned as follows:

-   1 Closure system -   2 Container -   3 Closure -   4 Container opening -   5 Peripheral Collar -   6 Tab -   7 Tab free end -   8 Latching element -   9 Holding element -   10 Enveloping surface -   11 Enveloping segment -   12 Container-side guidance element -   13 Outwardly directed Flank -   14 First Flank end -   15 Second Flank end -   16 Closure-side guidance element -   17 Container-side guidance element Bevel -   18 Closure-side guidance element Bevel -   19 Collar -   20 Closure opening -   21 Shoulder

The closure mechanism described is explained, by way of example, for holding and guidance elements arranged on the outer enveloping surface of the container. With appropriate adaptation of the corresponding tabs and latching elements on the closure, however, it is equally possible to arrange the holding and guidance elements on the inner enveloping surface of the container.

FIG. 1 shows closure system 1, made up of container 2 and closure 3, in the unassembled state. Container 2 is embodied as a preform, the preform not yet having been shaped into any particular bottle, for example in a blowing process.

The substantially cylindrical closure 3 comprises a peripheral collar 5 from which tabs 6 extend in peripheral fashion. Tabs 6 are articulated elastically on collar 5 so that free end 7 of tabs 6 is deflectable in spring fashion in a radial direction.

A holding element 9 in the form of a circumferential ring is arranged on container 2 in the region of container opening 4. Guidance elements 12 are shaped on, as peripheral teeth spaced apart from one another, above ring 9.

The interaction of closure 3 and container 2 is further explained below with reference to FIG. 2 a, FIG. 2 b, and FIG. 3.

As is evident from FIG. 2 a, a guidance element 12 comprises an outwardly directed flank 13, a first flank end 14 on enveloping segment 11, a second outwardly directed flank end 15, and a bevel 17.

FIG. 3 shows the closure region of container 2 in a side view (top) and a plan view (bottom). The side view (top) will be discussed first. Bevel 17 extends in an axial direction, sloping down from first flank end 14 to second flank end 15. Flank end 14 ends below container opening 4, and flank end 15 ends above annular holding element 9. Bevel 17 encloses an angle β with rotation axis D, angle β being equal to between 2° and 88°.

Reference will now be made to the plan view (FIG. 3, bottom). It is evident that flank 13 encloses an angle α with axis of symmetry S of container opening 4, angle α being equal to between 2° and 88°. Second flank end 15 of guidance element 12 does not project out beyond the rim of annular holding element 9.

FIG. 2 b shows closure 3 in a perspective sectioned view. It is evident that latching elements 8 are embodied at free end 7 of tabs 6. In the embodiment illustrated, latching elements 8 are arranged on every second tab 6. Each tab 6 equipped with a latching element 8 comprises a closure-side guidance element 16 having a bevel 18. The function of bevel 18 is, when closure 3 is snapped onto container 2, to prevent tab 6 from slipping over guidance element 12 and thereby possibly being spread out, which would prevent latching. Closure-side guidance element 16 having bevel 18, and container-side guidance element 12 are embodied in such a way that when snapping-on occurs—i.e. in the context of an axial motion of closure 3 in the direction of the container bottom—the closure-side bevel 18 on guidance element 16 slides on guidance element 12 thereby rotating the closure such that latching elements 8 of tabs 6 are positioned in the closed position between two adjacent guidance elements 12.

As evident from FIG. 2 b and FIG. 3, bevel 18 of closure-side guidance element 16 has an angle corresponding approximately to that of the axial slope angle β of container-side guidance element 12, with the result that easy sliding of guidance elements 12 and 16 with respect to one another, from an axial into a rotational motion, is achieved.

In order to release closure 3, snapped onto container 2, from the closed position, closure 3 is rotated clockwise (in the example shown) as also indicated by the arrow direction of angle α. As a result of the rotary motion, tabs 6 that bring about the latching of closure 3 onto container 2 are pushed against flank 13 of a guidance element 12 and, in the context of the rotary motion, slide in the rotation direction on guidance element 12; as a result of the radial angle α of guidance element 12, tab 6 is deflected in a radial direction in the context of this rotational motion, and ultimately the latched engagement between container 2 and closure 3 is released. Closure 3 can thus be easily removed from container 2.

FIG. 4 shows container 2 and closure 3 in the closed position. It depicts a latching element 8, arranged at distal end 7 of a tab 6, which is snapped in below the annularly embodied holding element 9 by the spring action of tab 6. The latching element is shaped in barb-like fashion so that can be snapped on comparatively easily over the rim of holding element 9, but cannot be released out of the closed position by a user by way of an axial pull.

Upon rotation of closure 3 out of the closed position, tabs 6 that bring about latched engagement with container 2 are lifted in a radial direction away from holding ring 9 thanks to the configuration of container-side guidance elements 12, so that closure 3 can then be removed from the container.

It is further evident from FIG. 4 that in the example shown, closure 3 is embodied as a dispensing cap having a cup-like body structure. As shown, the peripheral collar 5, on which tabs 6 are arranged, extends from cap 3 toward the closure cap opening and surrounds container opening 4 on the outer enveloping surface of container 2.

Extending from collar 5, which in the closed position runs along the outer side of the container, is a further peripheral collar 19 that, in the closed position, abuts against the inner side of container opening 4. The peripheral collar 19 defines the maximum dispensed volume of closure 3, which is thus embodied as a dispensing cap.

As is further evident from FIG. 4, a shoulder 21 into which the rim of container opening 4 engages is embodied between collar 5 on the outer side of the container and collar 19 on the inner side of the container. Shoulder 21, as well as the latched engagement between container 2 and closure 3, is configured so that a liquid-tight seal is embodied between container 2 and closure 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates the process of closing and releasing closure 3 from container 2, which will be explained below starting with the left illustration. In the left illustration, closure 3 and container 2 are shown in a position released from one another. Closure of container 2 is then (as indicated by the arrow in the center illustration) brought about by snapping closure 3 onto container 2. Closure 3 can be released from container 2 by rotating closure 3 with respect to container 2. 

We claim:
 1. A closure system (1) for a container (2) comprising: a) a closure (3) comprising: i) a cup shaped body with an opening (20); ii) a cylindrical peripheral collar (5); iii) a plurality of elastically embodied tabs (6) extending peripherally from said collar, each of said tabs ending in a free end (7) deflectable in springing fashion in a radial direction; iv) a latching element (8) configured on each free end (7) of each of said tabs (6); b) a cylindrical container opening (4) comprising: i) at least one holding element (9) configured as a circumferential ring or segmented ring with interstices adjacent said opening (4), said element extending radially from and shaped onto an enveloping surface (10) of said container (2); ii) an enveloping segment (11) defined as that portion of enveloping surface (10) of said container (2) residing between said opening (4) and said holding element (9); iii) a plurality of teeth-shaped container-side guidance elements (12) positioned circumferentially around said container opening (4) and against said holding element (9), each of said guidance elements (12) further comprising an outwardly directed flank (13), a first flank end (14) on said enveloping segment (11), a second outwardly directed flank end (15), and a bevel (17); wherein the closure (3) and the opening (4) are configured and dimensioned such that in the closed position, said closure (3) releasably closes off container opening (4); the at least one holding element (9) and said tabs (6) configured and dimensioned such that said latching elements (8) of said tabs (6) constitute with the at least one holding element (9) a snap-in connection by which said closure (3) is releasably secured on the container opening (4); and wherein said guidance elements (12) interact with said tabs (6) and latching elements (8) such that upon rotation of the closure (3) out of its closed position, tabs (6) deflect out in a radial direction such that the snap-in connection between the at least one holding element (9) and the latching elements (8) of the tabs (6) is released.
 2. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the radial slope angle α between the flank (13) and an axial axis of symmetry (S) across said opening (4) is equal to between 2° and 85°.
 3. The closure system of claim 1, wherein said closure (3) further comprises closure-side guidance elements (16), said elements (16) arranged on said tabs (6) and configured and dimensioned to interact with said container-side guidance elements (12) in such a way that when the closure (3) is snapped onto opening (4) placing said closure system into the closed position, tabs (6) are guided between two adjacent container-side guidance elements (12).
 4. The closure system of claim 1, wherein said bevel (17) slopes downward in an axial direction from the container opening (4) toward the holding element (9).
 5. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the axial slope angle β of the flank (13) of the container-side guidance element (12) is equal to between 2° and 85°, preferably between 4° and 70°, particularly preferably between 5° and 60°.
 6. The closure system of claim 3, wherein each of the said closure-side guidance elements (16) further comprise a bevel (18) sloping downward in an axial direction from the closure opening (20) toward the free end (7) of tab (6).
 7. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the holding element (9) is a circumferential ring.
 8. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the number of tabs (6) is greater than
 3. 9. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the number of tabs (6) is even.
 10. The closure system of claim 1, wherein a latching element (8) is arranged only on every second tab (6).
 11. The closure system of claim 1, wherein the number of container-side guidance elements (12) is equal to the number of tabs (6) having latching elements (8).
 12. A container (2) for use with the closure system of claim 1, wherein said container (2) is a preform.
 13. A container (2) for use with the closure system of claim 1, wherein the container (2) is a blow-molded bottle.
 14. A closure for use in the closure system of claim 1, wherein the closure (3) comprises a cylindrical collar (5) having a plurality of elastically embodied tabs (6), the free end (7) of the tabs being deflectable in spring fashion in a radial direction, and a latching element (8) being provided for a plurality of the tabs (6) at the free end (7).
 15. A method for closing and opening the closure system of claim 1, said method including the steps of snapping said closure (3) onto said container (2), and opening and releasing said closure (3) from said container (2) by rotating the closure (3) with respect to the container (2). 